National Defense Is a Classic Example of a Public Good

question 21

Multiple Choice

National defense is a classic example of a public good because

• A)there is no market for private security services.
• B)it is difficult to exclude people from receiving the benefits from national defense once it is provided.
• C)everyone agrees that some level of national defense is important, but only the government knows the optimal amount.
• D)there are no private firms willing to supply defense goods such as tanks and weapons.

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Definitions:

Thomas Kuhn

A philosopher of science best known for his theory on scientific revolutions and the concept of "paradigm shifts" in scientific thought and development.

Paradigm Shifts

Signifies fundamental changes in the basic concepts and experimental practices of a scientific discipline or other systematic pursuit.

Quantitative Research

Research that translates the social world into numbers that can be treated mathematically; this type of research often tries to find cause-and-effect relationships.

Qualitative Research

A research strategy focusing on understanding the nature of human behavior and the reasons that govern such behavior, utilizing methods like interviews and observations that provide depth and context.